Submarine rescue device



Oct. 27, 1931. R. DICOLA 1,829,476

SUBMARINE RESCUE DEVICE Filed April 8, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inventor Allorney R. DlCOLA Oct. 27, 1931.

SUBMARI NE RESCUE DEVICE Filed April 8, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A an Inventor Patented Oct. 27, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROCCO DIGOLA, FOREST CITY, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB OF TWENTY-FIVE PER CENT T0 HIMSELF, TWENTY PER CENT TO URIC J. 'MCHALE, 0] FOREST CITY, PENN- SYLVANIA, EIGHTEEN AND ONE-THIRD PER CENT T0 FRANK RENDA, EIGHTEEN AND ONE-THIRD PER CENT TO VITO VARANO AND EIGHTEEN AND ONE-THIRD PER CENT TO DOMENICK CORONITI, ALL OF SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA SUBIARINE RESCUE DEVICE Application filed April 8, 1930. Serial No. 442,617.

This invention relates to an improved rescue device for use in association with submarines, and it has more particular reference to the class of device which is adapted to be permanently mounted on the submarine in ,a convenient position to permit it to bebrought into play in case of an emergency, whereby to permit a multiplicity of refugees to float safely to the surface of the body of water in the event the submarine sinks.

Briefly stated, the invention is in the nature of a .bouyantelevator characterized by a collapsible container for the ,reiugees, a multiplicity of .pontoons or floats for carrying the device to the surface of the water and rescue of lifesaving boats. Briefly stated, the novelty is founded upon a structure which is calculated to be of estimable value in that it may be conveniently .anchored on decks of the submarine in an outof-the-way place under normalsailing conditions, the same being characterized by a folda ble or collapsible occupant container which, when set adriatt, will catapult rapidly to the surface of the water under the action of the elevating floats. I

Otherwise stated, the invention comprises a normally collapsed tubular container which is releasably moored or anchored on the decks of the submarine, the same having communieating connection with an internal safety refuge device provided within the interior of the submarine.

The particular structural features and ad vantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing a sunken submarine with the rescue device collapsed and anchored on the'deck in a norniallyinoperativestate, and also showing the device released and occupying a floating position on the surface of the body ot water.

Figure 2 is a view in section and elevation showing the stationary inlet tube on the submarine and the distended canvas rescue container together with the attaching means and closing door, etc.

Figure 3 is a cross section taken approxi mately on the plane of the line 3-3 of Figure 2. V

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing the manner in which the lower end of the canvas rescue container is detachably fastened to the metal tube on the sub marine.

In Figure *1, the sunken submarine is designated by the numeral 5. In accordance with the present invention, there is an internal refuge structure provided on the interior thereof, and this is of any construction and generally designated by the numeral '6. It is here shown as including :a vertical metal tube '7 having communication with horizontal walk-ways 8 which branch in opposite directions from the tube 7.

The numerals '9' designate approach ladders leading to the door-equipped 'ends of the branches 8. The numerals 1'0 designate a plurality of closing safety doors. The rescue device is generally designated by the numeral 11 and from experimental results it has been found that this might well be releaseably anchored on the deck 12 of the subman'ine. Incidently, the submarine may he of any appropriate construction and the device '6 may be of suitable arrangement to facilitate entrance and admittance to the rescue device 11.

In accordance with the conception, however, the upper end of the tube 7 is provided with annular flanges 12 as seen in Figure 4, defining ;a channel at the top of the tube. This forms an annular keeper. The rescue device (comprises a collapsible or foldable canvas tubular container 13 .of appropriate dimensions. This is provided with vertically spaced reinforcing hoops or hands 14 to withstand the pressure of the water during the flight of the rescue devicethrough the water after it has been released.

The lower end of the canvas extends down into the grooves between theflanges 12 as detailed in Figure 4, where itis clamped firmly therein by a suitable water-tight connecting device. 1 This device may be of. any

appropriate: construction but is; here shown" as comprising a'pair ofcompanionsemicircular members 15 provided with oppositely threaded complemental rods (see Figure 3) threaded into a turn-buckle'sleeve '17 provided with wormthreads18.

' The numeral 19 designates a pinion have ing operating connectionv with the worm threads for carrying a shaft or operating stem 20 which extends up intotthe interior of the container 13 andis provided with a handwheel 21 as seen-in'Figure 2. The numeral '22'desi'gnates-a closing door.. This cooperates with the fring formed by the coaction ofthepart -15. The purpose ofthe door is to close the bottom of theoontainer before it is released to travel: upwardly through the body of water. The door may i be of any appropriate construction andgsuitable, retaining means :may be provided. In

cidently, the-door must beclosed' before the releasing device21 is actuated for permitting the lower end of the canvas to-disengage from the retaining flanges 12.

vOn the upper end of the. canvas container is a neck or cap '23 here shown as provided *with a'suitable closure 24::and retaining means 25 therefore- 1f desired, the closure may include a glass window or may be constructed of glass to permit clear vision I to be had bythe occupan ts of the rescue container "13. "The container also includes ladder 26- to facilitate entrance and maintenance of the occupants'in the container 13.

The numerals 1 2 7designate radial arms which may be in the nature of rods or platforms to expedite escape after thedevice-has reached the surfaceof'the water; on the outer ends. of these arms are floats or pontoons 28. iThe arms also constitute supports for the small life boats 29. The life boats g0 are preferably covered with water-proof can- 1/ during the flight of'the rescue device from vas to prevent water from entering the boats the submarine to thesurface of the water.

7 'To render theaction of-xt-he flight complete 7 and uniform I provide four arms 27 and '1f)our floats and a corresponding number of oats; V

-' Under normal circumstances, the canvas container 13 is folded into the collapsed state.

represented in Figure 1. Suitable retaining means may include hooks or thelike for hol ding therescue device down in this .col-

lapsed condition; "Suitable internal mechanism (notshown) may be arranged within the submarine to allow the rescue device to be released when necessary or desired.

books 30 are released and this allows the canthe "occupants go into. the container 13 lvention after considering the description in In accordance with the invention if the submarine sinks, the occupants first enter the safety housing 6. As before stated, this may be of any appropriate construction for accommodation of the refugees. Then, the 10 vas container 13 to be carried upwardly by ,thelfloats to the distended state' rep resented buoyant action of the float carries the device promptly to the surfaceof the water for rescuepurposes'. 1

The life-boats, which are canvas-covered land water-tight-may be'releasably supported .onthe arms2Z so'that after the device reaches the surface of the water, the closure 24: may be swung open and the occupants may (p .enter the boats andseek safety.

= The device is calculated to be of unestima- ,ble value for rescue purposes for sunken submarines; It is forcibly'projected when released so that it' m'oyes rapidly through the water to the surface for discharge of its pas- "6 .sengers It is somewhat in the nature of a buoyant elevator andaccommodates a number. of refugees. jThe equal distribution of the pontoon-carrying arms permits the device 'to'move in a uniform mannerjthrough the water without swirling and turning.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates willbe able to obtain a clear understanding of the inconnection with the drawings. Therefore, a

more lengthy description isregarded asunnecessary.

Minor changes in shape, size, and rearrangement of details coming within the field w of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice if desired.

Iclaim: i r v V x 1. In a submarine rescue device of the class described, an open-ended canvas tube defining arefugee container, clamping means at the lower end of the tube for fluid tight connection with an exit tubein the submarine, manually manipulated mechanism for actuating said clamping means, a fluid tight clo- 'i sure associated with said clamping means for closing the lower end of the container, a discharge closure mounted on the upper end of the container,and including a rigid cap pro- .vided with a plurality of radial arms, pontoon s mounted on said arms, and life boats mounted onsaid arms.

2; A: submarine rescue device of the type described comprising 'avertically collapsiblem. refugee container having expanding means in its lower end for securing it in water tight communication with an escape well of a submarine, said expanding means adapted to engage the upper walls of the escape well, means for operating said expanding means, a closure in the bottom of the container; and a conning tower on the upper end of the container having an escape door, and a float structure in said tower consisting of a plurality of radial arms projected from the tower, pontoons on the ends of the arms adapted to function to support said refugee container and maintain the same in erect position in the water, and boats mounted on said arms.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature.

ROCCO DICOLA. 

